While everyone knows about the importance of protecting the skin from the summer sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, two UCLA dermatologists point out that many are not as diligent as they should be — either because they are not mindful of the long-term risks or because they are unknowingly failing to take all protective measures.

“The ultraviolet rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm, so if you’re going to be physically active outside, it’s always best to do it before or after this timeframe,” says Jenny Hu, MD, a UCLA dermatologist and skin-cancer surgeon who sees patients in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. It is also best to always seek shade, she adds.